Thursday, March 19, 2009

SUNGAI PETANI: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said continued political stability and certainty would speed up efforts by the government to overcome the impact of the global economic crisis.

A Barisan Nasional victory in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency and Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai state seats, he said, would help efforts by the government to stave off the challenges.

"If we want to overcome the challenges, we cannot afford to have political instability. If we have political stability and certainty, we could step up efforts to improve our economy," he said when launching the BN Bukit Selambau state seat by-election machinery at SM Teknik Sungai Petani II here yesterday.

Present at the 5,000-plus gathering were Kedah BN chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and leaders of the various state BN component parties.Najib, who is also BN deputy chairman, said investor confidence would be reinforced if there was continued political stability.

"We are unique and successful in so many ways. Besides being a model of a successful nation which comprises various communities, we have also been the gateway for many civilisations, including from the Middle East, China and India since they all congregated here in the past."

He said investors would be turned off if there were practices of "politics under the tree" and "suing and counter-suing", a clear reference to the opposition's actions in Perak.

Earlier in Simpang, Taiping, Najib said the government would not be implementing unplanned infrastructure or development projects in constituencies where by-elections were being held.

"We are reducing the 'instant noodles way' (referring to sudden and quick implementation of development projects before by-elections). We will implement projects that have already been approved.

"We will implement development in the area only after the results of a by-election is out. If the people in Bukit Gantang want development, then they need to make sure BN wins in Bukit Gantang," he said after naming Ismail Safian as the BN candidate for Bukit Gantang.